Best school bags to get ready for the new term (2023)

Finding the right school bag is key when it comes to kitting out your child’s school wardrobe.

Whether they’re getting ready to start a new school year, or indeed a new school, they’re going to need something that ticks the box for both style and practicality when it comes to carting all their belongings around.

Thankfully, there are lots of options out there, including a raft of styles that are new in for 2022. Before you buy a school bag, consider which functions are essential and which are nice-to-haves. A school bag with a laptop compartment might be key for an older child, for example, while a matching range of items – like pencil cases and water bottles – is likely to go down well with younger kids.

What should I look for when choosing a school bag?

Depending on the age of your child, there’s a good chance it’ll be them – not you – doing the choosing. But once they’ve settled on a style they like, it’s worth ticking a few boxes to make sure it does what it needs to. If you want it to last them through the school year, for example, pay attention to whether it’s waterproof.

Rucksacks and backpacks are the top choice for school bags because they’re so easy to carry and the straps distribute weight evenly across the shoulders. Not all rucksack straps are created equal, though, so check for plenty of padding, and consider a cross-body satchel or book bag as an alternative for young children. Whatever style of school bag you go for, get them to try it on for size if you can.

Speaking of size, make sure what you’re buying is going to fit all their belongings in. If you want to fit a rain mac, a lunch box, a water bottle, pencil case, and a tonne of books in, for example, you’re going to need a bag that’s up to the job.

Preschoolers and primary-age children will need something smaller of course, as it’s likely they’ll want to carry their bag independently and a full-sized rucksack will probably swamp them. Older children bringing a laptop or A4 folders to school, meanwhile, will need a bag with dimensions to match.

Shop the best school bags below

Hype Multi Coloured Graffiti Drip BTS Bundle

Hype does some brilliant back-to-school bundles and we can’t get enough of this one. You get a school bag, lunch box, pencil case and aluminium drinks bottle, all in an eye-catching paint splatter design.

The brand’s range of unisex bags are a more rounded shape than the rectangular rucksacks we tested, and they feel nice and roomy inside. There’s no internal pocket, just one main compartment and a front pocket. And while there are no bottle holders on the side, there’s one on the thermal-lined lunchbox. With the pencil case and bottle factored in, this is a great bundle at a very wallet-friendly price.

Buy now £64.99, Hype

Next Gamer Backpack

For the mini-gamer, this backpack from Next will go down well whatever their latest obsession. Black with blue and purple accents, it’s covered in a bold gaming headsets and controllers across the front, sides, and straps, with a plain black and lightly padded back.

The netted side pockets have enough stretch to fit a standard water bottle in, and the front pocket can house a regular pencil case. There’s also a pocket in the main compartment for a laptop or A4 paperwork in, so this rucksack could work for all age groups. We particularly like the fact the colour won’t show the dirt easily, and the reinforced and grippy base is a small but clever detail.

Buy now £21.00, Next

Superdry Unisex Printed Montana Rucksack

Superdry has a whole range of new rucksacks that are perfect for older kids and teens entering the new school term. The Unisex Printed Montana Rucksack comes in several different prints, and we particularly like the leopard – which teams a bold patternwith a muted brown colour scheme.

At 46cm high, this is the biggest of the bags we tested, and there’s oodles of room in the main compartment, meaning this could double up as an overnight bag for sleepovers. There’s a laptop sleeve and a zipped internal pocket in here too, and the zipped front pocket on the outside is also a decent size. Last but not least, the base is reinforced – which will keep it looking new for longer.

Buy now £22.50, Superdry

M&S Kids Camo Water Repellent School Backpack

The squared-off shape of this rucksack makes carting A4 books and folders around nice and easy, and we love the camo design with contrasting orange accents. It has one main compartment with a separate internal folder pocket, a bottle holder, plus a flat, zipped pocket at the front. The padded straps are curved to fit neatly around the body and give better weight distribution, although the padding on the back panel of the bag itself is minimal.

What’s great about this one is the water repellent finish of the fabric, which will keep the contents inside protected from showers. It’s machine-washable, too, so you can keep it looking fresh throughout the school year.

Buy now £20.00, M&S

Smiggle Better Together Book Bag

If you’ve got primary-aged kids, you’ll know that Smiggle is a big deal, and we love the new Better Together book bags. There are five designs to choose from - our top pick is black mix option that’s covered in colourful, smiley rainbows.

The bag has a name label on the back, an easy Velcro opening, and a carry handle – although no shoulder strap option, which we would have liked. Still, book bags are much more difficult to find in the shops than backpacks and rucksacks, so we’re pleased to find some new options for young children with such cute designs.

Buy now £12.00, Smiggle

Fjallraven Kanken Laptop 13’’

If you want a bag that’s going to last, Fjallraven’s instantly recognisable Kanken bags are a great option. They’re expensive, yes, but the timeless design means they’re not going to go out of fashion, and they’re made from durable, water repellent fabric that’s built to last.

The Kanken Laptop bag is a twist on the classic Kanken, and the smallest size fits a 13-inch laptop with just enough space for books and a pencil case too. We found the side pockets just a little too small for a water bottle, but the bag is also available in 15-inch and 17-inch sizes if your child has a fair bit to carry around. There are 14 muted colours to choose from, including a simple black and the latest addition – Foliage Green.

Buy now £88.95, Amazon

SchoolBag Buy One Fund One

School in a Bag is an educational charity based in Somerset that sends SchoolBags filled with educational resources and eating utensils to disadvantaged children around the world. When you choose one of their Buy One Fund One bags, you get a black Endeavour backpack from Quadra Bags for your own child, and they’ll send a SchoolBag out on your behalf to a child who really needs it.

The Endeavour backpack you’ll receive is great for older kids, with lots of handy features like a dual-compartment design to separate their belongings, a laptop sleeve, mesh pocket and two water bottle holders. And when your SchoolBag is sent out, you get a tracking number to see where it ends up in the world – plus the knowledge that you’ve helped another child out.

Buy now £40.00, SchoolBag

Monsoon Supernova unicorn backpack

Little ones can bring some serious style to school with Monsoon’s new unicorn backpack. While it’s covered in iridescent unicorns and a rainbow of stars, the simple navy-blue base stops it from becoming garish. And the sequinned front pocket – complete with a giant unicorn that disappears when you flip the sequins the other way – is the perfect finishing touch.

We like the neat shape, which makes this big enough for A4 books and all the essentials, but not so big it would swamp a primary-age child. Two water bottle pockets are always handy, and we like the fact this is nice and lightweight, too. That’s until they put all their stuff in it, of course.

Buy now £25.00, Monsoon

JoJo Maman Bebe Lion Backpack

This mini backpack from JoJo Maman Bebe is designed for kids aged three and upwards. At just 26cm high, it’s not quite big enough for Reception, but it’s the perfect size to encourage them to be responsible for their own bits and bobs on their first day at nursery or preschool.

The backpack has one main compartment and a handy little lion-face pocket at the front, and doubles up as an adorable little lunch bag. The adjustable straps aren’t particularly padded, but as there’s not enough space to fill this with anything particularly heavy, there’ll be no complaints from your little one. We love the fact the bold yellow colour stands out in a crowd, and you can have the bag personalised for an extra £5.

Buy now £18.00, JoJo Maman Bebe

The Cambridge Satchel Co 13-inch Satchel

If you’re looking to splash some cash on an investment purchase for an older child, a leather satchel will last them well past their school years and into adulthood. We love the classic look of The Cambridge Satchel Co’s 13-inch satchel in vintage tan brown, which won’t date or go out of fashion. The bag itself is incredibly robust, crafted in the UK from thick leather and finished with convenient magnetic closures.

There’s a small front pocket as well as the main compartment, and you can upgrade to the 15-inch design to better carry coursework or an electronic notebook. You can even get it embossed with your child’s initials if you want to add an element of personalisation or give it as a very special gift.

Buy now £190.00, The Cambridge Satchel Co

Verdict

Ultimately Hype’s back-to-school bundle won our top spot – not only does it make life easier because you don’t have to shop for everything separately, but the school bag itself is a great all-rounder in a bold unisex design that we loved. If your child is talking a laptop to school regularly, though, it’s got to be Fjallraven’s Kanken Laptop – just make sure you choose the right size bag for your particular tech.